STORM: Marine Moorings Masterclass
Kingston Ln
Uxbridge UB8 3PN
UK
Marine Moorings Masterclass
Seminar | Workshop | Networking
Sharing knowledge on offshore moorings challenges and solutions
The challenge
Mooring systems are critical for the success of all offshore floating renewable energy devices, which are constantly pushed to their extreme limits in high energy environments. Over the last few years, there has been significant research focused on ropes resulting in the production of lighter and stronger products. As a consequence, the weaknesses in the systems now occur in the rope in-line and end connectors with critical areas causing chaffing of the rope, resulting in premature failure.
The potential
Moorings offer a number of advantages of marine energy deployments:
- Simpler and quicker deployments
- Enables deeper water deployments
- Reduce LCOE as smaller vessels can be used
STORM project
Funded by Innovate UK, the STORM (Specialised Thimbles for Offshore Renewable Marine energy) project is aiming to design a new multi-material hybrid connector which will be:
- Lighter
- Easier to assemble
- Enhance the lifespan of mooring systems
The innovation uses the next generation of nylon/AI composite materials which, when combined, exhibit higher strength, high corrosion resistance, low coefficient of friction, and are lightweight. For offshore renewable energy devices, this will result in increased deployability, increased reliability, and longer in-service times. This will yield an increase in energy output and improvement in safety, whilst reducing failures and offshore maintenance operations which will ultimately help reduce the LCOE for the industry.
Marine Moorings Masterclass
Within the scope of the STORM project, an end-of-project dissemination event is required to share the progress made within the STORM project. However, rather than simply focus on what we have done, we want to bring together moorings experts, offshore energy developers and supply chain companies to share common challenges and learning around marine mooring applications and experiences, and discuss the progress in developing, testing and operating solutions for this vital marine energy subsystem. As ocean energy is a new developing pre-commercial industry, with limited hours in the water relative to other more mature industries, the workshop aims to share knowledge from other industries (particularly oil & gas and offshore wind) to see where the ocean energy sector can gain for previous lessons learned to streamline the development of the sector, reducing the burden on developers to tackle these issues in isolation. By working together, and reducing duplication of effort on developing moorings solutions, marine energy developers can focus on the most vital aspect of marine energy technology development aiding there move towards commercialisation.
Masterclass objective
The workshop aims to bring together representatives from offshore wind, wave and tidal energy to share learning and facilitate knowledge sharing on offshore moorings, focusing on the challenges, needs and solutions of the sector. The workshop will look to identify industry needs and corresponding R&D projects around moorings, encouraging new project partnerships to form.
Register now
This event is free to attend, and lunch will be provided. However registration is essential.
To register for this event, please email lisa.mackenzie@emec.org.uk by Friday 12th January 2018.
Masterclass programme
The programme as at 23/1/18 is presented below. Check back for updates. If you would like to provide a presentation within the programme, please contact Lisa MacKenzie: lisa.mackenzie@emec.org.uk | +44(0)1856 852207
0930 | Arrival & registration | |
Coffee & networking | ||
0950 | Welcome & overview | |
Introduce ‘Marine Moorings Matrix’ | Nigel Briggs | TTI STORM Project Manager |
|
1000 | STORM connector and project outcomes | |
Connector design | Nigel Briggs | TTI | |
Connector reinforcement & casting process | Brian McKay | Brunel University | |
Material integration and testing | Damien McCormack | Nylacast | |
Demonstration of new mooring connector | Nigel Briggs | TTI | |
1030 | Lessons learned: Challenges and progress in ocean energy moorings | |
Speed updates: Marine energy developers & supply chain | ||
LAMWEC mooring design & strop testing | Steven Nauwelaerts | Laminaria | |
Rotary Wave marine moorings experience | Andrea Novás Cortés | Rotary Wave | |
Raptor rock anchoring for marine moorings | Nick Cresswell | SME | |
Marine installations in the wave and tidal energy sector | Myles Metson | Green Marine | |
WES Landscaping Study: Moorings and foundations | Ben Yeats & Tom MacKay | TTI Marine Renewables | |
Q&A | ||
1200 | Networking lunch | |
Update Marine Moorings Matrix | ||
1245 | Brunel University tour | |
Visit of AMCC & ETC facilities | ||
1345 | Lessons learned from other sectors | |
Speed updates | ||
Top end tensioner | Stephen Banfield | TTI | |
Moorings reliability testing | Andy Shanks | EMEC | |
Aquaculture moorings experience | Lawrie Stove | Aquamoor | |
Offshore wind moorings lessons learned | Peter Foxton | Vryhof | |
Q&A | ||
1450 | Break | |
Tea & coffee | ||
1500 | Funding opportunities | |
Potential funding opportunities | Rachel Burch | Brunel University | |
1515 | Break-out groups | |
Discussions points:
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1615 | Marine Moorings Matrix | |
Feedback from break-out groups | ||
Discussion points:
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Lead: Elaine Buck | EMEC | |
Conclusions and actions | ||
1700 | Workshop close |